Cable security apparatus

• US 5,289,559 A
• Filed: 11/15/1991
• Issued: 02/22/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Edwin P. Wilson
• Original Assignee: Edwin P. Wilson
• Inventors: Wilson, Edwin P.
• Primary Examiner(s): FONT, FRANK G
• Application Number:
  US07/792,780
• Time in Patent Office: 830 Days
• Field of Search: 385/95-99, 385/136, 385/12, 385/13, 340/555, 340/556, 340/557, 340/568, 340/571
• US Class Current: 385/136
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3801 Permanent connections, i.e. wherein fibres are kept aligned by mechanical means splices by bonding G02B6/255; fusion splices G02B6/2551
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3803 Adjustment or alignment devices for alignment prior to splicing
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1463 Physical arrangements, e.g. housings devices to prevent theft or loss of purses, luggage or hand carried bags A45C13/18
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/186 using light guides, e.g. optical fibres

Abstract

The present invention is an apparatus for holding a first cable and a second cable in communication on an object. The apparatus includes a first member for holding a first end of the first cable and a second member for holding a second end of the second cable. The second member is disposed in a predetermined adjacent relationship with the first member such that the first and second ends are abutted up against each other and can communicate a signal therebetween. The apparatus also has means for affixing each of the first and second members separately to the object in the predetermined adjacent relationship. Preferably, the cables are fiber optic cables and the signal is light. In an alternative, the first and second members are fixedly attached to a spring base. The spring base is for maintaining the members in the predetermined adjacent relationship such that the first and second ends are abutted and can communicate a signal therebetween when the object is on the apparatus.

Claims

1. An apparatus for holding a first cable and a second cable in communication on an object comprising:

a first member for holding a first end of the first cable;

a second member for holding a second end of the second cable, said second member disposed in a predetermined adjacent relationship with the first member such that the first and second ends abut and can communicate a signal therebetween; and

means for affixing each of the first and second members separately to the object in said predetermined adjacent relationship, said first member affixed to the object independently from said second member and said second member affixed to the object independently from the first member such that upon removal of the apparatus from the object, the first and second members become separated.

2. An apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said first and second cables are fiber optic cables.

3. An apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein the first member has a first opening in which the first fiber optic cable is held and the second member has a second opening in which the second fiber optic cable is held.

4. An apparatus as described in claim 3 wherein the first and second fiber optic cables are held within their respective openings with retaining clips.

5. An apparatus as described in claim 4 wherein the affixing means is comprised of an adhesive.

6. An apparatus for holding a first cable and a second cable in communication on an object comprising:

a first member for holding a first end of the first cable;

a second member for holding a second end of the second cable; and

a spring base on which the first and second members are affixed for maintaining the members in a predetermined adjacent relationship such that the first and second ends abut and can communicate a signal therebetween when the object is on the apparatus and then when the object is lifted off of the apparatus, the spring base moves the first and second members from the predetermined adjacent relationship, thereby preventing the first and second ends from abutting and communicating a signal therebetween.

7. An apparatus as described in claim 6 wherein said first and second cables are fiber optic cables.

8. An apparatus as described in claim 7 wherein the first member has a first opening in which the first fiber optic cable is held and the second member has a second opening in which the second fiber optic cable is held.

9. An apparatus as described in claim 8 wherein the first and second fiber optic cables are held within their respective openings with retaining clips.

10. An apparatus as described in claim 9 wherein the spring base is comprised of a steel plate.

11. A system for protecting an object comprising:

a first fiber optic cable having a first end;

a second fiber optic cable having a second end;

a first support member having a first opening for holding a first end of the first cable;

a second member having a second opening for holding a second end of the second cable, said second member disposed in a predetermined adjacent relationship with the first member such that the first and second ends are abutted and can communicate a signal therebetween;

means for affixing each of the first and second members separately to the object in said predetermined adjacent relationship;

retaining clips for holding the ends of the fiber optic cables within their respective openings;

means for transmitting a signal, said transmitting means in communication with said first cable;

means for receiving a signal, said receiving means in communication with said second cable; and

an alarm for indicating when the receiving means does not receive an expected signal from the transmitting means, said alarm in communication with said receiving means.

12. An apparatus as described in claim 11 wherein the affixing means is comprised of an adhesive.

13. A method for installing a first cable in communication with a second cable comprising the steps of:

inserting an alignment wire through a first opening of a first member and a second opening of a second member such that the openings are aligned with each other;

affixing separately the first member and second member to the object in an adjacent relationship with the openings aligned;

removing the alignment wire from the opening;

inserting a first end of the first cable into the first opening; and

inserting a second end of the second cable into the second opening such that the second end abuts up in communication against the first end.

14. An apparatus for holding a first fiber optic cable and a second fiber optic cable in communication on an object comprising:

a first member having a first opening for holding a first end of the first cable;

a second member having a second opening for holding a second end of the second cable, said second member disposed in a predetermined adjacent relationship with the first member such that the first and second ends abut and can communicate a signal therebetween; and

means for affixing each of the first and second members separately to the object in said predetermined adjacent relationship; and

retaining clips for holding the ends of the fiber optic cables within their respective openings.

15. An apparatus as described in claim 14 wherein the affixing means is comprised of an adhesive.

16. An apparatus for holding a first fiber optic cable and a second fiber optic cable in communication on an object comprising:

a first member having a first opening for holding a first end of the first cable;

a second member having a second opening for holding a second end of the second cable;

a spring base on which the first and second members are affixed for maintaining the members in a predetermined adjacent relationship such that the first and second ends abut and can communicate a signal therebetween when the object is on the apparatus and then when the object is lifted off of the apparatus, the spring base moves the first and second members from the predetermined adjacent relationship, thereby preventing the first and second ends from abutting and communicating a signal therebetween; and

retaining clips for holding the fiber optic cables in their respective openings.

17. An apparatus as described in claim 16 wherein the spring base is comprised of a steel plate.

18. An apparatus for holding a first fiber optic cable and a second fiber optic cable in communication on an object comprising:

a first member having a first opening for holding a first end of the first cable;

a second member having a second opening for holding a second end of the second cable, said second member disposed in a predetermined adjacent relationship with the first member such that the first and second ends abut and can communicate a signal therebetween; and

means for affixing each of the first and second members separately to the object in said predetermined adjacent relationship, wherein the affixing means is comprised of an adhesive; and

retaining clips for holding the ends of the fiber optic cables within their respective openings.